Mangosuthu Buthelezi Quotations

I rejected the armed struggle because, as a Christian, I am committed to a nonviolent and peaceful struggle. But people take their own initiatives, because it is a Lebanon type of situation here.

We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans.

I was proud to call Dr Rupert a friend. He was always a wonderful source of support and kindness.

South Africa is blessed to have women and men like yourselves who have little to give but give what you have with open hands and open hearts.

Others may make you promises, once again, and then election after election not deliver. We will not do this.

So long as the Zulu people are here, clearly I will still have a role to play in this country.

I remain your servant and I will do as you ask of me.

I have been in America only once since Mr. Clinton became your president - as a speaker at the United Nations.

And the basis on which we agreed to operate with them involved a manifesto, where it states that we proceed from different ideologies and policies. One thing that we insisted on was that they should take an oath to reject racism and discrimination.

Clearly you need a new team to go out to bat on your behalf; to fight for your rights and to report back to you personally and to the leadership of the IFP.

Personally, I believe in self-determination, but in the context of one South Africa - so that my self-determination is based in this region, and with my people.

For our white members, voting is something they have done for hundreds of years. But for us, it is not such a traumatic thing, because we have never participated in an election.

The candidates before you know that the IFP has set up a system of deployed IFP national and provincial leaders who are not only monitoring the performance of candidates during these elections but will also do so after these elections.

All of our forebears contributed to what South Africa has become. That does not, however, mean that I must apologize to anyone for being born a Zulu, or for having that culture.

In Hanover Park they highlighted the terrible plight of backyard dwellers and the fact that year after year nothing has been done to help you: the hope and despair you all live with every day.

I have always believed in dialogue and in nonviolence, and if you look at my background you will see that it has always been my policy to talk to everyone.

AIDS is the biggest challenge, the major disaster facing this country and we would have wished for something more specific and far-reaching.

My people have been sucked into the violence because some feel they have to retaliate, and some feel they have to protect themselves.

The politics of the Cape Town Metro, which allows an executive Mayoral committee to make secret decisions which affect you, behind closed doors, is wrong!

I am not the kind of leader who pontificates about what should be done - I don't operate on scenarios, and I am not a prophet.

The IFP is here to put into practice what we preach.

We are here because we are determined to offer the people of the Western Cape choices which are long overdue.

Well, surely, I am not in charge of South Africa.

I am horrified by Cosatu's call to the President to break his oath of office, as well breach the Constitution, by interfering in the administration of justice in respect of the (Jacob) Zuma case,

Definitely, without a doubt, the president of the IFP knew of all these things.

You know, my real worry is that no government, no matter who is in charge, will be able to fulfill the expectations of the people.

It is clear before God and man that the entire war on HIV and AIDS has not been waged with any degree of piety, responsibility and care.

Among the Zulu people I hold the position of the traditional prime minister of the king. Those positions are not affected by the outcome of elections.